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Many people like to buy “fixer-upper” homes to save money on their house purchase. Others think they are getting a well-built house only to find out after they move in that there was a home improvement remodeling attempt that went awry. If you know that you are facing the disastrous results of someone else’s shoddy work, you have to take the problems one step at a time.

1. Foundation Problems

If there has been an addition put onto your house, check the foundation to make sure it is level. Drop a marble on the floor and see if it rolls quickly to one side of the room, indicating a slope in that direction. Check outside to see if the new part of the foundation is intact, without crumbling or cracks.

If the foundation on the new section is not up to par, it may need some rework. For a foundation that is settling faster than the main house foundation is settling, you might have to use hydraulic jacks to level it. You might have to bring in a backhoe and fill in dirt under the foundation if it has washed away. Mud-jacking is one solution for sinking foundations. You may need to use epoxy or cement if you have cracks in the foundation. These are home improvement remodeling tasks that are hard work, are very important, but are not immediately noticed by many people.

2. Water Damage

Look for water damage in places where moisture accumulates. Check the bathroom to make sure that the home improvement remodeling do-it-yourselfer used the correct materials to create a moisture barrier. Check newly installed windows to ensure that they were put in properly, with no room for water to leak into the room or into the wall.

If you find water coming into the house anywhere, you might need to do a corrective home improvement remodeling project to fix the problem. You might need to reinstall the windows, or have new ones put in if those are damaged by the water leakage. You might need to have an entire bathroom remodeling job done. Whatever you do, make sure you find out exactly where the previous remodeler went wrong and make the necessary changes. You will find that a home remodeling company has all the information needed to overcome all these water-related problems.

3. Faulty Wiring

The person who had the home before you did may have started an ambitious home improvement remodeling rewiring project without the necessary skills to pull it off. If you see sparks, bare wires, missing outlet covers, outlets that do not work, or have breakers that are constantly tripping, you might have a wiring problem.

If you are very experienced at working with electrical systems, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. You will just need to set aside a time when the household will be able to be without electricity while you work. Then, use your skills to restring wiring, rewire plugs, reorganize junction boxes and make sure there are no splices, and reapportion the circuits on the breaker box so that it is at its safest and most productive. If you do not have these skills, it is better to leave this home improvement remodeling job to an experienced remodeling company.

A good number of people either have or know of a horror story about poor workmanship and/or exorbitant pricing from their electrician. Getting ripped-off by an electrician can go beyond inconvenience or a hit to the wallet. Shoddy electrical workmanship can pose serious safety risks. Moreover, faulty work performed by an unlicensed electrician can leave a homeowner or business owner open to legal liability for any injury incurred by a third party. Therefore, selecting the right person for the job is vital.

Before contracting with anyone, write out a complete description of the work you wish to have done. If you are having a home improvement or adding on another room, now would be a good time to consider future electrical needs. For example, with the proliferation of electrical appliances and devices available to consumers and businesses, having renovation work done might be a good time to have additional outlets installed too.

Beginning your search can sometimes be a daunting task. Start your hunt by searching on the internet, thumbing through the phone book or asking your friends if they have used somebody that they trust. You should only hire a licensed electrician. Although this does not guarantee excellent workmanship, it does mean minimum standards of training and/or experience have been met. Be sure that the contractor you go with is insured.

Narrow your search down to three companies and invite each to inspect your location and place a bid on the job. This is a good time to confirm their qualifications. Ask about their licenses, whether they are insured, and how long they have been in business.

You and the company you hire should be on the same page when it comes to the proposed work. Review the list of work that you want done and gain agreement. If the electrician proposes something materially different, have him or her explain in layman’s terms why the additional work is necessary. If the explanation does not “feel” right or is not made clear, move on to the next. On the other hand, if it does sound right, you may be speaking to somebody who knows what he or she is talking about and may prove to know more about electrical work that the others.

It is also in your interest to ask any prospective electrician for references. He or she should not hesitate to provide you with at least three references in your area. Contact those customers and ask about the quality of work delivered. Problems with work sometimes occur. How a company responds to those problems is important. Ask references about post installation support.

For many people, price is often the determining factor as to whom they hire. Compare the bids from all the candidates for the job. Least expensive is not always the best, especially if the lowest bidder does not measure up to all of the criteria you have set for selection. Further, as a rule of thumb, it is better to have pricing based on the overall job rather than on an hourly rate. Lastly, be sure the start and finish dates are clearly stipulated.

Having a home improvement and hiring an electrician does not have to be a risky venture or an exercise in frustration. Careful attention to the selection process usually results in a favorable experience, one that does not break the bank or blow the fuse box.